The Sentinel: March 2025

Unity Jr. High 3nd Quarter High Honor Roll announced

Unity Junior High School announced the names of students who achieved high honor roll status during the third quarter of the 2024-25 academic year. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for recognition during this period.

6th Grade High Honor Roll

William Terrance Bieser
Jace Boyett
Rachel Elaine Sharples Brooks
Mila Marie Lynn Brown
Connor John Chesnut
Brielle Mun-Yee Chin
Madisen Diane Coy
Wyatt Michael Deakin
Finley Douglas
Reid William Edwards
Ashlyn Elizabeth Estes
Hunter Byron Estes
Shirley Arianna Garcier
Liam Thomas Grussing
Aneela Joy Hagerman
Aubrey Lou Hartman
Ezekiel Makai Hastings
Asher Jett
Pyper Rayne Jones
Zaylee Elaine Kohlenberg
Elijiah Cole Lambert
Avalee Susan Little
Landon Robert Little
Lucas James Michels
Brielle Raine Molina
Peyton Elizabeth Neighbors
Charlotte Rose Ocasio
Autumn Polaczek
Olivia Ann Ruggieri
Zachary David Ruhter
Mallory Mya Schmid
Jayceon Simmons
Brody Lee Skibbe
Blake Robert Stierwalt
Giselle Ann Thomas
Jase William Kenneth Wierman
Conor William Zumbahlen

7th Grade High Honor Roll

Maylie Rose Bates
Brailey Marie Cain
Viola Ayame Carman
Lydia Grace Crowe
Kylee Paulette Cunningham
Elizabeth Irene Davidson
Bronson Edwin Davis
Savannah Jo Drewes
Quentin Xavier Dykeman
Collin Daniel Eckstein
Beau Richard Eisenmenger
Cooper Alexander Fairbanks
Nadia Grace Fairbanks
Hayden Marie Gabbard
Libbey Marlene Ethel Griffin
Dylan Paul Holladay
Mason James Holladay
Aaron Joseph Hood
Gabriel Heinrich Jahnel
Allie Rose Kamradt
Molly Kathryn Lydia Kleiss
John Isaac "Isaac" Leaman
Adelyn Jolene Maxwell
Graham Charles Moore
Ashley Ann Mumm
Nicole Nava Palomares
Caylynn Josie Parker
Raelyn Marie Prosser
Jordan William Pruitt
Avery Elizabeth Remole
Matias Alberto Rios Toro
Camdon Levi Schmid
Layla Marie Scott
Drake Alan Siuts
Kataryna Sperry
Colby Aaron Weaver
William Ross Wetherell
Kadence Ryleigh Wiese
Alexis LeAnn Wolken
Alivia RaeLyn Wolken
Brendan Kurtis Zerrusen

8th Grade High Honor Roll

Adcock, Kelsey Marie
Adcock, Kenny Wayne
Bailes, Lilly Annabelle
Bates, Brooklyn Blair
Benedict, Ty Craig
Bent, Ethan Earl
Berkey, Elizabeth Joanne
Berkey, Katherine Elaine
Bletscher, Konnor Lewis
Cowan, Kale Boden
Coy, Trevor Daniel
Daly, Alec Joseph
Deakin, McKenzie Lynn
Denney, Emma Nicole
DiBello, Giulietta
Gambill, Steven
Glad, Jaxson Edward
Good, Amelia Marie
Grussing, Hayden Bradley
Gumm, Aubrie Paige
Hamilton, Jordan Elizabeth
Hoel, Kynedy Ashlynn
Krall, Alivia
Leonard, Cora Dee
Lisanby, Jauniyah Rosemarie
Logsdon, Liam Hayes
Marinelli, Adeline Marie
Meharry, Lilly Madelyn
Meharry, Tatum Faith
Millsap-Moore, Baeden Edward
ONeill, Holden William
Parks, Marley Rae
Popovics, Carolina Maria Pagaduan
Popovics, Luc Sandor Marcelo
Pugh, Makaylin
Rawdin, Maya Alexis
Robbins, Bella Rose
Roth-Robertson, Madelyn Olivia
Savona, Skylar Grace
Schuckman, Sophia Isabella
Shunk, Vivian Rosalie
Smith, Hayden Dale
Spomer, Abigail Elise
Stierwalt, Dylan Robert
Styan, Olivia Jane
Terven, Jack Christopher
Thomas, Nicholas James
Thompson, Hayley Olivia
Thweatt, Cassandra Pearl
Watson, Charles Reider
Webber, Quentin Stephen
Weber Patterson, Hallee Ann
Williams, Bryson Matthew
Wishall, Ethan Matthew
Wolf, Ashton Jace
Wolken, Adam Scott

Unity Jr. High 3rd Quarter Honor Roll

Unity Junior High School announced the names of students who achieved honor roll status during the third quarter. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for recognition during this period.

6th Grade Honor Roll

Molly Margrethe Bailes
Madelyn JoAnn Bear
Lylla Lorene Bennett
Journie Elizabeth Castle
Liberty Cenzano
Gersey Marie Cler
Avery Brooks Curry
Dominic Dees
Hayven Corrine Douglas
Kennedy Phoenix Dykeman
Jackson Carter Elam
Odin Jeffrey Evans
Megan Elizabeth Gumbel-Paeth
Emilia Hibbs
Luke Raymond Hottman
Christian Timothy Vincent Johnson
Khloe Nikita Kellogg
Jerzey Lawler
Bentley Michael Mcduffie
Hunter Reed McIntosh
Logan Alexander Nasser
Tucker Lee Pruiett
Brantley Hunter Pugh
Josephine Jane Pulleyblank
Emory Grace Renfroe
Jace Alek Revell
Felix Richard Runyan
Nolan Dwight Seidlitz
Paige Elizabeth Siuts
Lila Rose Souza
Elizabeth Ann Stewart
Haven Marie Thomas
Jaylynn Whiteside
Jordan Lily Zoch

7th Grade Honor Roll

Ashlyn Nicole Alt
Rya Jolee Bialeschki
Kaylee Jo Black
Nora Kristina Blanchard
Liam Aeron Blom
Bradley Roger Bruhn
Gorian Martin Cler
Raeann Loucille Cozad
Raymond Curtsinger
Greyson Zachary DeHart
Tinsley Layne Elliott
Alarik Byrum Ellison
Kenzlee Rae Evans
Natalie May Gumbel-Paeth
Jessica Marie Hamilton
Harper Quinn Harris
Addilynn Mae Hatfield
Benjamin Isaac Hoewing
Finnegan Samuel Bowie Isberg
Matthew Stephen Kroes
Azaria Christianne Lisanby
Adeliah June Little
Jack Thomas Ludwinski
Maxwell Tyler Pound
Riker Alan Rogers
Kyle Sean Roosevelt
Smilemarino Mulanga Sardo
Jonah Ryan Schriefer
Ezra Alan Schultze
Cashtyn Ryder Sutherland
Jaycob David Tatman
Dylan Dean Thompson
Owen Robert Vasey
Lucy Jeane Weaver
Levi Nelson White
Phoebe Ashlynn Witheft

8th Grade Honor Roll

Sawyer Michael Abrahamson
Grace Bailey
Ella Addyson Bromley
Sylvia Lola Cahill
Ryker Cenzano
Hadley Marie Cler
Hayden Curtsinger
Katelyn Dhom
Evan Matthew Donaldson
Jase Charles Eisenmenger
Skippy Followell
Samuel Bentley Hollett
Owen Dean Hottman
Holly Marie Howey
Russell Patrick McCabe
Scarlet Rosemary McCann
Lane Lucas Meharry
Ellery Merkle
Emma Grace Mohr
Lillian Calen Mohr
Jacklynn Kay Alexandra Moore
Logan Harvey Reimer Couch
Connor Allen Schwartz-Rouse
Jaylan Serczyk
Austin David Shafer
Trevor James Shallenberger
Jasper Lee Souza
Tucker Douglas Stierwalt
Cade Robert Styan
Jayden Michael Terven
Deklyn James Thomas
Lucas Neal Williams
Olivia Lynn Wilson

Guest Commentary |
Go have a good day

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

A Catholic Priest, A Jewish Rabbi and a Baptist minister were discussing the beginning of life.

The Priest said, “Life begins at conception. The Rabbi said he believe at birth. The Baptist minister thought for a minute and said, “I believe life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies.”

While there are different opinions about when life begins, what is the answer to the question, “When does life end?” Most of us would agree when we breath our last breath is when it’s over for us. However, too often the ending of life is even more grim than us fighting for a breath of air and then we are nothing but a body of flesh and bone for some else to dispose.

Too often life for many ends months or maybe even years before our final physical moment. Actually, possibly it has already happened to you and you haven’t even realized that you are already dead. You died and you didn’t even know it. You’ve been starring at your television, scrolling through social media and maybe even walking around the aisle of the grocery store just as dead as old King Tut, but not physically, just mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

It happens to the best of people. You lose all interest in life. You have nothing that you look forward to. There is nothing you particularly want to do. No place you really want to go and nobody you want to be around. You’re dying, because you’ve given up.

There are several scenarios that can bring us to this motionless zombie stage of life. Losing a spouse, losing a job, losing a child, a business failure, financial failure, a major sickness or just outliving all your family and your friends. Too often people detach themselves from everyone or anything going on which limits their activity and interest even more.

No doubt crippling disease changers our personalities and our interests. Battling cancer, diabetes, a neurological disease or take your pick of many more, changes our attitude about wanting to be out and about and doing what we use to do. Going to church, the local Kiwanis

Meeting, or singing in the community choir may not have the same appeal.

Regardless of what you or a loved one has going on it’s well to take notice of this stage of life and not be too hard on your friend or yourself. Here is what you must try:

1. Keep moving. Move whatever you can. Even if you are wheel chair bound, move your mind and whatever part of your body that you can move.

2. Keep doing. Do something. Read, pray, exercise, go to church, walk. Clean your house. Work a job, mentor people. Be a friend to others. Use your imagination.

3. Keep trying. As long as you can breathe, don’t quit.

4. Have something to look forward to. This can be anything. Someone’s birthday. A trip to the store. Moving the yard. A family gathering. A weekend trip, a movie, church, it can be most anything.

5. Enjoy whatever you do. Laugh and have a good time.

The only person who can keep you down is yourself. Your number one obstacle is usually yourself. If we can overcome what we mentally put ourselves through then we have a good chance of a good day. A good thought to add here, is the scripture, “If God be for us who can be against us?” Romans 8:21 Another one is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Now, go and have a good day!

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Potential NOAA cuts spell trouble for IL weather warnings

This weekend, a violent storm cell producing a tornado that raced along a 12 mile track just south of Champaign-Urbana. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but area saw damage to buildings and powerlines. Without NOAA warnings preceeding major storms like this, many will suffer without the warnings of severe weather.

Photo: NOAA/Unsplash

In addition to short-term storm predictions, like for the storm passing through Central Illinois on Sunday, data from NOAA helps farmers understand what to plant and when to harvest.

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - One of many federal agencies facing cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in states like Illinois with plenty of extreme weather events, scientists said the cuts could threaten people's safety.

NOAA employees are bracing for expected layoffs of up to 20%, or more than 1,000 jobs. Among other roles, NOAA's National Weather Service provides data used by most weather forecasters, including for warnings and advisories.

Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist and vice president of engagement for Climate Central, explained why NOAA data is critical.

"Because of NOAA data, we know when to evacuate ahead of storms, fires," Woods Placky outlined. "We know when not to evacuate, which is also really critical, because that saves a lot of money and a lot of time."

Just this week, Illinois saw severe rain and snowstorms, high winds and tornado and fire warnings. Woods Placky added beyond short-term predictions, data from NOAA helps farmers understand what to plant and when to harvest, especially as crop hardiness zones shift due to climate change.

NOAA's climate and storm data dates back to 1950 and goes beyond U.S. borders. Woods Placky emphasized unstable governments can interrupt data gathering.

"When you get that gap in the data, it invalidates the long-term datasets," Woods Placky pointed out. "You can't carry it with the same weight to tease out longer-term trends to keep people safe and prepared on longer-term shifts that we're seeing."

She added global groups also use NOAA's data, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations.

Some argued services NOAA offers can instead be privatized.

David Dickson, TV engagement coordinator for the nonprofit Covering Climate Now, said it shows a misunderstanding.

"To argue against NOAA not being useful because we have private companies offering weather apps would be to argue against farmers because we have grocery stores," Dickson underscored. "It really does fund the invisible backbone of virtually everything we consume."

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Unity relay squad finishes 5th at indoor championships

Unity 4x400 girls relay team — **BLOOMINGTON** - Members of Unity's 4x400 relay team pose after running their race at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships on Saturday. Running in the Class 2A race, the squad finished two seconds behind Normal U-High and Mt. Zion at 4:12.04 in fifth place. The quartet is composed with Josie Cler, Ashlyn Denney, Grace Wherely, and MacKenzie Pound. Cler, Denny, and Pound also ran in the 4x800 race taking the meet title.

Decker breaks school record at Illinois Top Times Championships

Unity Emily Decker breaks school record — **BLOOMINGTON** - Unity's Emily Decker keeps a steady pace in the 3200-meter run at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships on Saturday. The Ball State signee set a school record with a time of 10:57.37, placing fourth. She also finished fifth in the mile run.

Supercharge your brain, 20 foods that will boost your brain health

Ultra-processed foods have been trending lately, with health experts giving them more attention than usual because of their negative effects on people’s health.

Photo: David J. Boozer/Unsplash

by Matt Sheehan
OSF Healthcare

Dr. Tiffini Franada

PEORIA - Pondering what cooking options are best for your brain? Here’s some food for thought.

Tiffani Franada, DO, is a neurologist with OSF HealthCare who specializes in Multiple Sclerosis. Part of her passion is working with patients choosing brain-healthy diets and lifestyle, which prevents neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

The MIND diet

"The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet, which is healthy fats, olive oils, fish, fruits and vegetables. And the DASH diet, which is a low-sodium diet,” Dr. Franada says. “It's particularly helpful for patients who live with hypertension (high blood pressure). The two of those combined seem to be very effective at preventing the development of Alzheimer's."

Patients on the Mediterranean diet often have lower levels of inflammatory markers in their spinal fluid. Higher levels are suggestive of Alzheimer's. Patients also perform better on cognitive testing, Dr. Franada adds.

Fiber-rich foods

"In regard to carbs, whole grains are probably best, and they have really good fiber in them. As well as things like legumes and beans which have good fiber levels, which make you feel full for longer," Dr. Franada says.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists many high-fiber foods here. Lentils, vegetable soups, whole-wheat bread and pasta make the list. As well as fruits and vegetables like apples, apricots, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

Berries and antioxidant production

"Blueberries are great, really berries of all kinds. They really help that antioxidant production," Dr. Franada says. "For vegetables, leafy greens are really helpful. They have a good amount of folic acid, which helps to reduce homocysteine (amino acid) in the brain. Homocysteine promotes inflammation and shrinkage in the brain, and we want to reduce that."

“Fats are not the enemy”

The word “fat” oftentimes has a negative connotation to it. Dr. Franada says there are healthy fats out there that offer benefits to brain health.

"Fats are not the enemy. Healthy fats are good for the brain. Your brain requires them, like fatty fish (salmon), which have good Omega-3s in them. If you don't eat fish, flax seed is a great alternative," Dr. Franada says. "Walnuts also have great, healthy fat in them. As well as olive oil, which has monounsaturated fatty acids which protects against inflammation in the brain."

Lean meats, like chicken and turkey, can be good for brain health because there’s healthy amounts of protein and fiber in them, Dr. Franada says.

Don’t dismiss dark chocolate!

"Dark chocolate is great. Dark chocolate has good amounts of antioxidants. Of course, all things in moderation. But a dark chocolate square once a night, not a bad thing," Dr. Franada says. "Also, caffeine! Believe it or not, a cup of caffeine, like coffee or tea, can help with focus, attention and is helpful for the brain."

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that help brain functions

Photo: Elena Leya/Unsplash

Dark chocolate benefits brain health by providing antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. Its flavonoids enhance blood flow to the brain, while compounds like phenylethylamine and serotonin precursors help boost mood and reduce stress. Regular consumption in moderation may support memory, focus, and long-term neuroprotection.

Dr. Franada recommends having your caffeinated drink of choice early in the morning, right when you wake up, instead of later in the day. Having it later in the day can give you a lot of energy, which leads to you not sleeping well at night. Sleep is also extremely important for brain health.

Foods to avoid

Ultra-processed foods have been trending lately, with health experts giving them more attention than usual because of their negative effects on people’s health. High sodium, added sugars and excessive amounts of bad fat headline are the reasons why we should avoid them, with these elements being linked to diabetes, obesity and cancer.

Obesity is typically part of a metabolic syndrome, where a person has elevated blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol. This puts patients at risk for stroke, sleep apnea, Alzheimer's and many other health issues. Those risk factors can put someone at risk for neurological disease.

"Heavily processed foods are not great for the brain or the heart. Excess sugars, like added sugars, should be avoided as well. If you're going to have sugar, have something with natural sugar in it," Dr. Franada says. "Berries are much preferred to things with added sugars. Also, white bread and processed carbs should be avoided, too."

Effect on white brain matter

"There's some real-world data showing that the Mediterranean diet can prevent white matter changes on the brain, which are little white spots that develop on patients’ brains as they get older. It's also seen in patients with vascular risk factors," Dr. Franada says. "If you follow the Mediterranean diet pretty strictly, you can prevent getting those white spots. They also found people who adhere to that diet have better structural integrity. The left and right sides of the brain talk better to one another."

What about cheat days?

If you exercise five or six days a week and give yourself a “cheat day” where you splurge a bit, evaluate how the food feels in your body. Instead of packing on the calories and going bananas, Dr. Franada recommends reeling it in a bit and focusing on moderation.

"You'll probably start to recognize it doesn't feel so great," Dr. Franada says. "Maybe it's a chocolate dessert at night, or something smaller that you can do to still stay with your healthy diet, just in smaller quantities."

Dr. Franada cautions against super rigid diets that make you "fall off the wagon" after a few weeks. "You have to find something that's sustainable for you," Dr. Franada adds.

Which one is right for your pain? Choosing between ibuprofen and acetaminophen

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

ROCKFORD - Whenever you feel a headache coming on or you tweak your back, it’s common to reach into the medicine cabinet for a couple of acetaminophens (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). But does it matter which one you take? And is there anything wrong with taking both to fight off what ails you?

Acetaminophen is an analgesic, which is a type of drug that reduces pain signals within your nervous system. It’s used to treat discomfort like headaches and joint pain, and to reduce fever.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is typically used to tackle issues such as back pain, menstrual cramps and toothaches. It also works to decrease fever.

Photo provided

Sarah Sheley

Sarah Sheley is a pharmacist with OSF HealthCare. She says it’s important to know that ibuprofen helps with inflammation and acetaminophen can’t do that.

"The difference between the two is the fact that the ibuprofen, that anti-inflammatory component, reduces pain by affecting the production of certain hormones in your body that cause inflammation," she says.

But each pain reliever comes with its own risks.

Acetaminophen is typically safer to use for most people. Some side effects include nausea, vomiting and headache. But it’s a drug that's absorbed by your liver so it’s not the best option for people with liver problems.

The side effects of ibuprofen include heartburn, nausea and stomach pain (it’s important to take it with food). Taking ibuprofen for a long time or at high doses can increase the risk of blood clots, kidney damage and ulcers.

Check with your pediatrician before giving your child any pain relievers.

"With ibuprofen there is more concern with patients using it if they had renal insufficiency, heart failure, GI (gastrointestinal) issues like Crohn's or IBS; they could cause a lot of irritation in the GI tract or stomach," Sheley says.

If you are taking a blood thinner ibuprofen can increase your risk of bleeding so opt for acetaminophen instead.

Sheley says that acetaminophen and ibuprofen are appropriate choices for children with fevers. However, stick with acetaminophen for infants 3 months or younger. The correct dose for your child is based on their weight, not their age. Do not guess their weight — acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be dangerous when given in the wrong dose. Check with your pediatrician before giving your child any pain relievers.

Be aware that ibuprofen and acetaminophen can have a negative interaction with some prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Since the two pain relievers work differently, Sheley says it’s fine for most adults to use them interchangeably.

"As long as you don't have any kidney or liver issues, you can alternate between the two. It is safe," she says. "You want to keep the doses four to six hours apart to help maintain and it probably is a good thing to alternate those, if you want to hit the pain from two different mechanisms."

Sheley says the most important tip is to know why you’re taking a particular pain reliever and don’t overdo it. The recommended maximum dosage for adults is 3,000 milligrams a day for acetaminophen and 2,400 milligrams a day if you’re taking ibuprofen.

Additionally, other factors such as your medical history and underlying cause of pain also help determine which pain reliever is best for you.

"Making sure that you know the source of your pain is important, and make sure that you are aware of a total daily dose that you should be taking of either medication prior to starting it," Sheley says.

Be aware that ibuprofen and acetaminophen can have a negative interaction with some prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you have any concerns or questions, consult with your primary care provider or your pharmacist.

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